“Alpine flowers are warmed by snow; the summer beauty of our hills, and the autumn fertility of our valleys, have been caused by the cold embrace of the glacier; and so, by the chill of trial and sorrow, are the outlines of Christian character moulded and beautified.  And we, who recognize the loving kindness as well as the power of God in what may seem the harsher and more forbidding agencies of nature, ought not to be weary and faint in our minds, if over our own warm human life, the same kind pitying Hand should sometimes cause His snow of disappointment to fall like wool, and cast forth His ice of adversity like morsels; knowing that even by these unlikely means, shall ultimately be given to us also, as to nature, the beauty of Sharon, and the peace of Carmel!”

Somewhere in the apartment, a bell tapped.  All rose, and each head in the gray ranks bowed, while “thanks” were offered; then amid a subdued murmur of conversation, the Sisterhood filed out, gathered in groups, separated for various duties.

“Sister Ruth, may I see you alone?” asked Beryl, touching her arm in the hall.

“This is the night for the examination of accounts, of last week’s expenses, and I shall be busy with Sister Elena, our book-keeper; moreover, I promised to look over the linen closet of the Infirmary, with Sister Consuelo, whose demands are like those of the daughter of the horse-leech.  Is your business urgent?”

“Yes; but I will not detain you more than ten minutes.”

“Very well, come to my cabinet.”

The place designated was a pigeon box in size, and adjoined the reception room on the first floor.  Two desks packed with papers, three chairs and a picture of Elijah and the ravens, constituted the furniture.  The matron brightened the light, seated herself and looked at her companion.

“Well.  What can I do for you?  Why, Sister?  Something has happened; your face is all aglow, your eyes are great stars.”

“Yes; a heavy burden I have long borne is slipping from my heart, and after the pressure it rebounds.  I have told you that my stay here was contingent on events which I could not control; that at any moment I might consider it incumbent upon me to go away into the world; therefore, I could bind myself by no compact to remain permanently in the ‘Anchorage’.  The time has come; the drum taps, I must march away.”

“And you are so glad to leave us?” said the matron, gazing in wonder at the radiant face, usually so impassive and cold with its locked lips, and grave, sad, downcast eyes.

“No, glad only in the occasion that calls me; regretting that duty separates me temporarily from the Sisterhood, who so mercifully opened their arms, when I had no spot in all the wide world where I could lay my head, but the sod on my mother’s grave.  This blessed haven is for those whose first duty in life summons them nowhere beyond its walls.  If conscience bade you leave these peaceful and hallowed halls, for work far more difficult, would you hesitate to obey?  It is safer and less arduous to keep step with the main army; but some must perish on picket duty, and is the choice ours, when an order details us?”